Nashua Voters Help Elect First Black State Senator

CONCORD, NH -- New Hampshire voters elected their first black state senator on Election Day this week. Democrat Melanie Levesque defeated two-term Republican Kevin Avard to win the District 12 Senate seat, which covers parts of Nashua, Rindge, New Ipswich, Hollis, Greenville, Mason and Brookline. Levesque, of Brookline, is a former state representative who served three terms.

"Thank you to all for your support and belief in me," Levesque said in a statement. "I am looking forward to serving the people of the district and the state."

Levesque was part of a blue wave in New Hampshire on Election Day. Democrats retook control of the House, Senate and Executive Council. The party has a 14-10 majority in the Senate.

Levesque has said among the top issues facing the state are the opioid crisis, education and jobs.

Granite State citizens elected perhaps their youngest and most diverse legislature ever on Election Day. Voters elected the state's first transgender lawmakers to the House. In Concord, voters elected Safiya Wazier, who escaped the Taliban and recently earned her American citizenship. And a teenage Girl Scout who helped end child marriage was also elected to the legislature.

New Hampshire 2018 Midterm Election Results

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Photo credit: Melanie Levesque